Adam Trimingham is indeed right that the South Downs is a wonderful asset and we are lucky enough, as a city, to be near so much of it (The Argus, October 5). Yet the tragedy is that much of it is difficult to access for many residents.

Improvements need to be made for walkers and cyclists so people don’t feel they always need to drive out to the Downs. Two routes that require urgent attention are along Dyke Road and Ditchling Road. However, the responsibility for these routes lies with Brighton and Hove City Council, so Adam’s frustration with the National Park Authority appears somewhat misplaced.

What is also of great concern, as Adam highlights, is the lack of joined up thinking around Stanmer Park. Why is the council even thinking of selling off more assets before it has consulted on the future of its downland?

And why is it doing this before exploring all the options for Stanmer Park? It should be one of our main gateways into the National Park.

Yet the way things are going, it risks falling into further decline. This is not good for residents, nor is it good for the local economy. It’s nothing short of a tragedy.

Chris Todd, Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth

THE comment piece by Adam Trimingham on the South Downs made some interesting points.

We are indeed privileged to enjoy this unique downland scenery and some of his criticisms regarding the current state of access are justified.

Gateways to the National Park could be improved; just marking the boundaries at roadsides would let people know when they were entering this specially protected landscape.

However, good countryside management is a slow and difficult process. The poor layout and lack of visitor centre at Devil’s Dyke was a result of the old Brighton Council selling off the hotel before thinking about the long-term future of the site.

Similarly, bridleway bridges over main roads are not cheap. Using them to take farm traffic as a route for the South Downs Way was a pragmatic solution making this much-loved path safer.

Stanmer Park is also suffering neglect, yet it should be the jewel in the crown of Brighton and Hove’s downland estate.

There is room for improvement. Adam’s article highlights the frustration of people who put time into campaigning for the National Park and feel the National Park Authority spends time talking, rather than doing.

However, the park authority cannot do everything itself. It is essential that local authorities take full account of National Park purposes when making their plans.

Dr Tony Whitbread, Chair, South Downs Network

THERE is a wonderful opportunity to enhance Stanmer Park now. It is one of the most important gateways into the new South Downs National Park. It should be a proud public park with visitor facilities and complementary activities, businesses and the like, to make for a quality experience.

It seems to be neglected, without an overall plan for its long-term future. The council needs to take this public asset and show real leadership to revitalise and launch it.

It has been done in other places, where there is imagination and commitment. With the new South Downs National Park comes the opportunity for some genuine partnership working with like-minded people. As The Argus says: “It is simply not enough just to save [the Downs and Stanmer Park] from speculators.” Yet there is every danger this is what could happen.

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